Colonial Place is built on property which was
originally known as The March Estate, a 166-acre tract owned by the heirs of
Peter March. The original name of
the community was “Sterling Place.”
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In 1907, inspired by the Jamestown Exposition being held at Sewell’s Point in Norfolk, developers renamed the community “Colonial Place.” The streets were renamed for the 13 original colonies and the north-south avenues reflected the Jamestown Exposition theme: Mayflower Drive, Colonial Avenue, Newport Avenue (named for Christopher Newport, captain of the Godspeed) and Gosnold Avenue (named for Bartholomew Gosnold, captain of the Susan Constant).
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Author F. Scott Fitzgerald was a frequent Colonial Place visitor; his cousin, Mrs. Cecilia Taylor lived at 4107 Gosnold Avenue.
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In 1921, the Lydia H. Roper Home, located in Riverview at East 40th Street and Columbus Avenue, was founded by Captain John Roper as a retirement residence for elderly women. Originally established as “a safe haven for widows of Confederate soldiers in their declining years who had little or no financial means,” the home is now owned by the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Church. It is managed by United Virginia Methodist Homes, Inc., and still serves as a retirement facility for women.
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In 1960, the first African-American family purchased a home in Colonial Place and moved into the all-white neighborhood. Thus began the community’s historic and successful evolution into a racially diverse community.
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The annual
Riverview and Colonial Place Front Porch Art Walk celebrates the many
artists who live in the two communities. The Art Walk, which debuted in
1999, has become a well-attended and successful event, bringing more and
more visitors each year.
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Notable residents of Colonial Place and Riverview, past and present, include authors Leon Uris, Mike D’Orso, Janine Latus and Sheri Reynolds; poet Charles C. Day, once poet laureate of Virginia; U.S. Senator John McCain; City of Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, Treasurer Thomas Moss and Commissioner of the Revenue Sharon McDonald; and folk musician Julie Clark.
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COLONIAL PLACE AND RIVERVIEW
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF HISTORY
By Artemis Stoll and Susan VanHecke
Donning/ Hardcover/ 72 pages
ISBN 978-1-57864-387-5/ $24.95
Proceeds benefit the Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League